Ebook: The Dialogues. Book Two. Saint Benedict

Translated, with an introduction and notes, by Myra L. Uhlfelder, Bryn Mawr College.

For a student of the post-classical period, Book II of Gregory’s "Dialogues" is significant first of all because it is our main authority for the life of St. Benedict. Its value as a virtually unique source is enhanced by the fact that it was written in 593-594, less than fifty years after Benedict’s death. At a time so close to the saint’s life, oral tradition was readily available to supplement written records; and in fact, Gregory, in citing his sources, often mentions personal conversations.